Following up failed job applications

TheMagicPirate · 25 May 2009 at 15:33

I recently applied for a job that I really really wanted.

Unfortunately I didn't get an interview, but I did get a really pleasant phone call with some really positive feedback. The woman said my application was excellent and she 'would love to create a position for [me]' but unfortunately they had lots of applications etc... She also said that one of my downsides (the only downside she mentioned) was my lack of experience creating leaflets.

Now this cheesed me off slightly as the job description never mentioned this, but in the hope that it was an oversight on their part and not just an excuse to get rid of a poor applicant I've decided I'm gonna try one last ditch attempt to get an interview by firing off an email.

email said:
Dear XXXXXXX,
I'm just writing to thank you for the feedback you gave me on Friday.
I must admit I was a little disappointed when you mentioned that one of my downsides was the lack of leaflet creation skill. I never thought to mention this, as it wasn't in the job description.

But anyway, like I say I'm just writing to say thank you for the positive feedback, it was a refreshing change from what most companies do and it has given me a new optimism in what is currently a tough climate for someone looking for a job.

Finally, I must confess a slight ulterior motive to this email, I would really appreciate it if you would keep my application on file if possible, as I meant what I wrote in my application when I said that I feel this job would be perfect for me.
In the meantime I will be working on looking for a more marketing based role so that I may be better prepared for if/when this position comes up again in the future.

Thank You

TheMagicPirate

[email protected]

I've decided I'm going to send the email regardless as I have nothing to lose really, the theory being they think 'wow, he really wants this job, lets give him a shot' and everyone it happy

I was just looking for opinions on the email, I don't want it to sound to aggressive or pathetic.

Ross1234 · 25 May 2009 at 15:34

Looks great to me, but it may not be a good idea to sign it "TheMagicPirate"

red11 · 25 May 2009 at 15:35

I'm not sure it's a good idea ending the email with 'TheMagicPirate'.

Joking aside, I think it sounds fine and I would do the same thing in your position. Good luck buddy.

edit ^^^^ dammit!

TheMagicPirate · 25 May 2009 at 15:35

Ross1234 said:
Looks great to me, but it may not be a good idea to sign it "TheMagicPirate"

Ha ha, and here's me thinking it was the done thing these days

jmhduck · 25 May 2009 at 16:26

I'd personally remove "I must confess a slight ulterior motive to this email", as I think it could possibly suggest you are attempting to be a bit manipulative, otherwise I think it looks great.

DampCat · 25 May 2009 at 16:29

Yup you could probably leave it at "i'd appreciate if you could keep my information on file.."

RetiredGreyFox · 25 May 2009 at 16:31

Can you attach a leaflet/s that you have created?

Tee Hee Johnson · 25 May 2009 at 17:02

I wouldnt bother really... the ''but anyway'' and ''ulterior motive'' both seem a bit out of place!

Take the compliment and ride on it whist looking for other jobs

RetiredGreyFox · 25 May 2009 at 17:41

craig_kennedy83 said:
I wouldnt bother really... the ''but anyway'' and ''ulterior motive'' both seem a bit out of place!

Take the compliment and ride on it whist looking for other jobs

There is a very simple rule in life - 'If you don't ask you don't get'.

OP - reword it and attach some examples.
You've got nothing to lose.

Participant · 25 May 2009 at 18:28

They potentially didn't mention leaflet design because they wanted to hear people say they'd done it rather than advertising it as a requirement, allowing people to fabricate things. Were you under the impression that a job description contains each and every task that the applicant will be expected to perform?

RetiredGreyFox · 25 May 2009 at 18:36

Robbie G said:
They potentially didn't mention leaflet design because they wanted to hear people say they'd done it rather than advertising it as a requirement, allowing people to fabricate things. Were you under the impression that a job description contains each and every task that the applicant will be expected to perform?

How do you know, do you work for the company?

I'd be mighty pee'd off if I went for a job and they said I didn't get the job because I didn't mention leaflet design.
How much more stuff should a person give up at an interview?
If the job & person specification didn't mention it then it shouldn't have been discussed.

Swifty55 · 25 May 2009 at 18:42

Someone more qualified has filled in your position.

jmhduck · 25 May 2009 at 18:45

Swifty55 said:
Someone more qualified has filled in your position.

Sherlock!

iraiguana · 25 May 2009 at 18:48

Worth a shot as you lose nothing by trying. Good luck!

semi-pro waster · 25 May 2009 at 19:02

Robbie G said:
They potentially didn't mention leaflet design because they wanted to hear people say they'd done it rather than advertising it as a requirement, allowing people to fabricate things. Were you under the impression that a job description contains each and every task that the applicant will be expected to perform?

It depends what the job is but if it is something that is tangenital to the job and not obviously closely linked then you might not think to mention it. If it is an important factor in the job (and one that is used to determine who the job goes to) then you might reasonably expect some mention of it.

As for the email, I'd remove the part about an ulterior motive as has been mentioned by others. I don't think spelling out why you are doing it is entirely necessary here, they can probably guess and although it might be you trying to be candid it's simply extraneous information.

Participant · 25 May 2009 at 19:40

dmpoole said:
How do you know, do you work for the company?

Robbie G said:
They potentially didn't mention leaflet design because they wanted to hear people say they'd done it rather than advertising it as a requirement, allowing people to fabricate things. Were you under the impression that a job description contains each and every task that the applicant will be expected to perform?

RetiredGreyFox · 25 May 2009 at 19:55

Robbie G said:

Ooh a roll eyes you big clever boy

Participant · 25 May 2009 at 20:13

I felt that it was an appropriate reflection of your failure to read.

RetiredGreyFox · 25 May 2009 at 20:17

Robbie G said:
I felt that it was an appropriate reflection of your failure to read.

And my reply is still valid with potentially or not -
Do you work for the company to make such a statement?

Participant · 25 May 2009 at 21:42

dmpoole said:
And my reply is still valid with potentially or not -
Do you work for the company to make such a statement?

Well actually your whole reply was:

'How do you know, do you work for the company?'

But if misquoting yourself for your own advantage makes you feel better then so be it. Furthermore if you cannot see any fault in asking me how I 'knew' when I had already added a 'potentially' to the front of my reply, clearly indicating that I did not know at all but was merely speculating, then I fail to see the point in further debate.

Aaaanyway, to the OP - you're not the first candidate to be cheesed off because their application wasn't good enough. Move on tbh, and try not to come across as the bitter reject, as it won't help your attempt to gain a position at the company.

I think it would be relevant to this thread though to tell us what the actual job description was, since that would help us gauge whether or not your proposed email is reasonable. It may be that the job description made it obvious to other candidates that anyone with leaflet design skills should have included details with the application.

Also, do you have any experience with leaflets or not?